Linen inspection table

ABSTRACT

A table for use in inspecting linens having a translucent table surface area, which is illuminated from below for the purpose of revealing tears of rips in linens moved across such area, and a table side mounted bin for receiving the linens passing over the edge of the table. The bin is characterized as being supported for pivotal movement between a linen receiving position and a non-use position, wherein it is completely recessed beneath the overhang of the table. Means are provided to selectively retain the bin in either of its positions.

United States Patent [191 [451 Jan. 23, 1973 Nelson [54] LINEN INSPECTION TABLE [75] Inventor: Robert W. Nelson, Jamestown, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: AVM Corporation, Jamestown,

[22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 179,643

[52] US. Cl. ..356/238, 26/70 [51] Int. Cl. ..G01n 21/16 [58] Field of Search ..-26/70; 38/111; 112/217.1; 356/199, 200, 237, 238

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,044,492 11/1912 Clark et al. ..38/1ll UX 2,447,907 8/1948 Henderson ..38/1ll 1,728,458 9/1929 Verduce ...356/238 2,134,650 10/1938 Williams ..356/238 1,024,764 4/1912 Blakes1ee..... ....26/70 UX 612,786 10/1898 Persons ....112/217.1 916,126 3/1909 Eidam ..1l2/2l7.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain ..26/70 Great Britain ..112/2l7.l

Primary Examine rRonald L. Wibert Assistant Examiner-F. L. Evans Attorney-John B. Bean et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures r l LINEN INSPECTION TABLE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an inspection table for linens, such as for instance hospital bed sheets, and more particularly to an improved inspection table featuring a bin for receiving linens falling downwardly over the edge of the table.

The table includes a generally rectangular table top having required numbers of supporting legs, wherein at least those legs arranged adjacent one side edge of the top of the table are in-set, so as to define a table top overhang. Further, the table top is formed with a generally rectangular opening, which is arranged parallel to the one side edge and closed by a translucent panel of glass, plastic or the like. Arranged below the table top opening is a light reflecting housing enclosing a plurality of fluorescent lights or the like.

The linen receiving bin is hinged to the legs along the overhang side of the table for pivotal movement between a projecting linen receiving position and a non-use position, wherein it is completely recessed beneath the overhang. When the bin is in its receiving position, linens passing over the overhang after inspection are collected and folded within the bin, thereby preventing soiling of the linens and serving to collect same in a convenient bundle for subsequent removal and folding. When the bin is in its non-use position, the bin is completely hidden beneath the overhang, thereby to prevent its being run into when the table is not in use or employed for some other purpose, and to reduce or prevent the accumulation ofdust therewithin.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the linen inspection table of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the table with parts broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the bin moved into its receiving position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The linen inspection table of the present invention is designatedas in FIGS. 1 and 2. Table '10 generally includes a generally rectangular table top 12 having a rectangularly cutout or opening 14 in which is positioned a translucent or transparent glass, plastic or like material panel 16; a plurality of table top supporting legs 18, which may be reinforced by horizontally extending braces 20; an illuminating device 22 arranged beneath panel 16; and a bin mechanism 24.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, table legs 18, which are arranged along at least the side of table top 12 having cutout 14, are inset so as to define a table top overhang 26. As best shown in FIG. 2, cutout 14 is parallel to the edge of and extends into overhang 26, such that panell6 is positioned in substantial vertical alignment with the eyes of a worker, such as a hospital laundry employee, bending over overhang 26, during an inspection operation.

Illuminating device 22 is shown as being in the form of an upwardly opening trough 28, having upwardly and outwardly diverging side walls 30, end walls 32 and a bottom wall 34; and a plurality of fluorescent lights or other suitable light sources 36, mounted on bottom wall 34. Trough 28 may be suitably mounted beneath cutout 14, such as by welding upper marginal edge portions of side walls 30 to channel members 38, which additionally serve to support panel 16 and rigidify the table top adjacent cutout l4. Illumination of the linen from below causes even small tears or rips present therein to sharply stand out relative to the bounding non-damaged fabric. When observed, these damaged areas can be suitably marked in order to facilitate subsequent repairs.

Bin mechanism 24 is shown as including a bin 40 having generally six-sided end walls 42, front wall 44, rear wall 46 and a composite bottom wall having portions 48a and 48b; a table leg mounted hinge or hinges 50 for supporting bin 40 for pivotal movement between the non-use and linen receiving positions shown in full and phantom line in FIG. 2; a retainer device 52 for releasably retaining bin 40 in its non-use position; and a pair of retainer devices 54 for releasably retaining bin 40 in its linen receiving position.

Preferably, the upper marginal edge of front wall 44 is shaped to define a rib-like projection 56, which when bin 40 is in non-use position is arranged substantially flush with the edge of overhang 26. Rib 56 serves to strengthen front wall 44, provides a convenient hand grip for lifting bin 40 into its non-use position, and provides a smooth edge to prevent injury to a worker during an inspection operation when the bin is in its linen receiving position.

Retainer device 52 is shown as being in the form of a single strip of resiliently deformable steel or like material having a mounting end portion 52a, which is suitably fixed as by welding to bin end wall 42, and an operating end portion 52b; the strip being deformed intermediate its ends to define a stop flange portion 57 and a cam flange portion 58.

Each of retainer devices 54 is shown as being in the form of an L-shaped strip of resiliently deformable steel or the like, which has one flange end portion 54a suitably fixed as by welding to one of braces 20 and another flange end portion 54b arranged to extend downwardly for engagement with the inner surface of bin rear wall 46 to retain bin 40 in its linen receiving position.

As will be apparent, stop flange portion 57 is engageable with the rear surface of an associated table leg for the purpose of retaining bin 40 in its non-use position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and end portion 52b affords a convenient hand grip by which an operator may resiliently deform mounting-end portion 52a for the purpose of freeing the stop flange portion from engagement with the table leg to permit pivotal movement of the bin under the influence of gravity downwardly into its linen receiving position. When the bin is returned to its non-use position, as by an operator's lifting up on rib 56, cam flange portion 58 is effective to automatically deform end portion 52a whereby to permit re-seating of flange portion 57 in locking engagement with its associated table leg.

While only one retainer device 52 may be provided in order to permit a single operator to release bin 40 for movement into its linen receiving position, a second such device may be provided for purposes of safety. However, it is preferable to provide two of retainer devices 54 in order to absolutely insure against accidental movement of bin 40 downwardly past its receiving position.

In operation with bin 40 in its receiving position, linens passing downwardly over the edge of the table overhang are collected within the bin; the orientation of front wall 44 and bottom wall portions 48a and 48b tending to fold or accordion pleat the linens as they are collected. Collecting linens in this manner greatly facilitates handling thereof subsequent to their removal from the bin. During periods of non-use, the bin is completely hidden beneath the table overhang, thereby to prevent its being run into when the table is not in use or employed for some other purpose and to reduce or prevent the accumulation of dust therewithin.

It will be understood that the term linens", as used herein, is means to include any relatively large fabric sheet, which one desires to inspect for defects.

Iclaim:

l. A linen inspection table comprising in combination: 7

a table top for supporting linens during an inspection operation;

mounting means for supporting said table top, such as to define a table top overhang adjacent at least one marginal edge thereof;

means for illuminating said linens upwardly through said table top as said linens are passed thereover towards said marginal edge, said illuminating means including a light transmitting panel arranged essentially flush with said table top and a source of light arranged below said pane];

an upwardly opening bin for collecting linens passing downwardly over said marginal edge under the influence of gravity said bin having rigidly interconnected front, rear, bottom and end walls, said bottom wall including portions relatively inclined to each other and said front and rear walls, said bottom wall portions cooperating with said front wall when said bin is in a collecting position to facilitate folding oflinens received therewithin;

hinge means for mounting said bin on said mounting means beneath said overhang and outwardly of said mounting means for vertical pivotal movement between a non-use position wherein at least substantially the whole of said pin is disposed beneath said overhang adjacent said mounting means and said collecting position wherein linens passing downwardly as aforesaid may be collected within said bin, said hinge means being interconnected to said bin adjacent the junction of said rear and bottom walls; and

retainer means to releasably retain said bin selectively in one of said positions.

2. A linen inspection table' according to claim 1, wherein said bin front wall is formed with a rib-like hand grip projection extending lengthwise of an upper marginal edge thereof, said projection being arranged to lie beneath said overhang and substantially flush with said marginal edge when said bin is in said non-use position thereof.

3. A linen inspection table according to claim 1, wherein said retainer means includes means carried by said mounting means for engagement with said bin to releasably retain said bin in said collecting position and resilient means carried by said bin for engagement with said mounting means to releasably retain said bin in said non-use position, said resilient means being deformable to release said bin for pivotal movement from said non-use position to said collecting position.

4. A linen inspection table comprising in combination:

a table top for supporting linens during an inspection operation;

mounting means for supporting said table top, such as to define a table top overhang adjacent at least one marginal edge thereof, said mounting means including a plurality of table legs and at least one brace extending horizontally between certain of said legs inset from said marginal edge of said table top such as to define said overhang;

means for illuminating said linens upwardly through said table top as said linens are passed thereover towards said marginal edge, said illuminating means including a light transmitting panel arranged essentially flush with said table top and a source of light arranged below said panel;

an upwardly opening bin for collecting linens passing downwardly over said marginal edge under the influence of gravity, said bin having rigidly interconnected front, rear, bottom and end walls;

hinge means for mounting said bin on said mounting means beneath said overhang for pivotal movement between a nonuse position wherein at least substantially the whole of said bin is disposed beneath said overhang and a linen collecting position wherein linens passing downwardly as aforesaid may be collected within said bin, said hinge means mounting said bin on said certain legs adjacent the junction of said rear and bottom walls for vertically pivotal movement between said positions; and

retainer means to releasably retain said bin selectively in one of said positions, said retainer means including a pair of generally L-shaped members fixed to said brace and having downwardly extending end portions arranged for engagement with an inner surface of said bin rear wall when said bin is pivoted downwardly into said collecting position whereby to releasably retain said bin therewithin and at least one resiliently deformable member having a mounting end portion fixed to an end wall of said bin, an operating end portion' and an intermediate portion formed to define stop flange and cam flange portions, said stop flange being releasably engageable with one of said legs when said bin is in said non-use position whereby to releasably retain said bin therewithin, said operating end portion being operable by a user to deform said mounting end portion whereby to disengage said stop flange portion from its associated leg whereby to permit pivotal movement of said bin towards said collecting position, and said can portion being engageable with said associated leg when said bin is pivoted towards said non-use position to automatically deform said mounting end portion to permit re-engagement of said stop flange portion with said associated leg. 

1. A linen inspection table comprising in combination: a table top for supporting linens during an inspection operation; mounting means for supporting said table top, such as to define a table top overhang adjacent at least one marginal edge thereof; means for illuminating said linens upwardly through said table top as said linens are passed thereover towards said marginal edge, said illuminating means including a light transmitting panel arranged essentially flush with said table top and a source of light arranged below said panel; an upwardly opening bin for collecting linens passing downwardly over said marginal edge under the influence of gravity said bin having rigidly interconnected front, rear, bottom and end walls, said bottom wall including portions relatively inclined to each other and said front and rear walls, said bottom wall portions cooperating with said front wall when said bin is in a collecting position to facilitate folding of linens received therewithin; hinge means for mounting said bin on said mounting means beneath said overhang and outwardly of said mounting means for vertical pivotal movement between a non-use position wherein at least substantially the whole of said pin is disposed beneath said overhang adjacent said mounting means and said collecting position wherein linens passing downwardly as aforesaid may be collected within said bin, said hinge means being interconnected to said bin adjacent the junction of said rear and bottom walls; and retainer means to releasably retain said bin selectively in one of said positions.
 2. A linen inspection table according to claim 1, wherein said bin front wall is formed with a rib-like hand grip projection extending lengthwise of an upper marginal edge thereof, said projection being arranged to lie beneath said overhang and substantially flush with said marginal edge when said bin is in said non-use position thereof.
 3. A linen inspection table according to claim 1, wherein said retainer means includes means carried by said mounting means for engagement with said bin to releasably retain said bin in said collecting position and resilient means carried by said bin for engagement with said mounting means to releasably retain said bin in said non-use position, said resilient means being deformable to release said bin for pivotal movement from said non-use position to said collecting position.
 4. A linen inspection table comprising in combination: a table top for supporting linens during an inspection operation; mounting means for supporting said table top, such as to define a table top overhang adjacent at least one marginal edge thereof, said mounting means including a plurality of table legs and at least one brace extending horizontally between certain of said legs inset from said marginal edge of said table top such as to define said overhang; means for illuminating said linens upwardly through said table top as said linens are passed thereover towards said marginal edge, said illuminating means including a light transmitting panel arranged essentially flush with sAid table top and a source of light arranged below said panel; an upwardly opening bin for collecting linens passing downwardly over said marginal edge under the influence of gravity, said bin having rigidly interconnected front, rear, bottom and end walls; hinge means for mounting said bin on said mounting means beneath said overhang for pivotal movement between a nonuse position wherein at least substantially the whole of said bin is disposed beneath said overhang and a linen collecting position wherein linens passing downwardly as aforesaid may be collected within said bin, said hinge means mounting said bin on said certain legs adjacent the junction of said rear and bottom walls for vertically pivotal movement between said positions; and retainer means to releasably retain said bin selectively in one of said positions, said retainer means including a pair of generally L-shaped members fixed to said brace and having downwardly extending end portions arranged for engagement with an inner surface of said bin rear wall when said bin is pivoted downwardly into said collecting position whereby to releasably retain said bin therewithin and at least one resiliently deformable member having a mounting end portion fixed to an end wall of said bin, an operating end portion and an intermediate portion formed to define stop flange and cam flange portions, said stop flange being releasably engageable with one of said legs when said bin is in said non-use position whereby to releasably retain said bin therewithin, said operating end portion being operable by a user to deform said mounting end portion whereby to disengage said stop flange portion from its associated leg whereby to permit pivotal movement of said bin towards said collecting position, and said can portion being engageable with said associated leg when said bin is pivoted towards said non-use position to automatically deform said mounting end portion to permit re-engagement of said stop flange portion with said associated leg. 